Disclaimer: All Characters and things associated with Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. This writing is purely for entertainment only.

Summary: Harry died in the Forbidden Forest and Ron and Hermione must find a way to finish his mission in a world where Hermione and her blood status leaves them both in incredible danger.

Chapter 1

Two months had passed since Harry had died at the hands of Voldemort and the Wizarding World was a shell of its former self. Voldemort and his followers had taken over the Ministry completely. Voldemort himself was ultimately in charge but Dolores Umbridge had been put in charge of the Magical Law Enforcement Department with only two real directives: one was to round up Muggleborn witches and wizards to redistribute as either servants to PureBlood and HalfBlood families who aligned with Voldemort's ideology or to pack them into work camps far on the edges of England and Scotland were most were subject to barbaric torture or death.

The other directive was to find and help persecute any Pureblood or Halfblood Wizards who opposed Voldemort. For the most part, those found guilty of supporting Harry or trying to help Muggleborns were sent straight to Azkaban but some others simply disappeared after their trials.

The only reason Ron and Hermione knew any of this was because Ron still had the radio his father had helped create, and there were still small fractions of Wizards and Witches operating underground, trying to defeat Voldemort, though that number was growing smaller each day. Even Hermione and Ron were no longer helping the cause, they were just trying to survive.

And so far they had done just that: survived. They had moved back into the tent, leaving to set up a new camp only when absolutely necessary. Ron had taken to sneaking into Muggle towns late at night, using Harry's invisibility cloak to steal food and supplies while Hermione kept herself busy reading, mending their destroyed clothing, and above all, trying not to think about Harry or her parents or the Weasley family. All people she was certain she would never see again.

Ron and Hermione kept each other going, though their romantic relationship had not evolved much, neither of them seeming to care about being overly affectionate as they both tried to deal with losing the entire world they knew. Though they knew they loved each other deeply. Neither would sleep without the other close-bye, afraid they would wake up alone.

Most of their conversations revolved around food or occasionally they would take about Voldemort's snake, knowing if they killed the snake they could end it all, but also knowing neither of them would ever be in a situation where they would be close enough to the snake again. In a way, they both felt like cowards. They had run when faced with danger, but they also knew deep down if they hadn't, they would probably be dead.

That morning, Ron was listening to the radio as Hermione busied herself making tea when they heard it. It had been a report they had been dreading but also knew they would eventually hear.

"This morning the following members of the Weasley family will face an inquisition into their allegiance to Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore: Arthur Weasley, Molly Weasley, Charlie Weasley, and Percy Weasley. They will likely be sent to Azkaban shortly after." The radio seemed to lose some frequency after that.

Hermione stopped pouring her tea, looking slowly over to see Ron staring at the radio in shock.

"Ron..." Hermione's voice came out barely above a whisper, not sure what else to really say.

Ron shook his head, clearly fighting back tears but trying to be rational. He had grown into such a calculating man over the past few months, his temper no longer controlling his actions. "It's fine, Hermione. We knew this would likely happen..."

"Yes, but Ron..." Hermione moved toward him, wanting to comfort him. She carefully sat down next to him, debating what to do. She wanted to hug him, and kiss him, and let him cry into her shoulder. Instead, she reached out and took his dirty and rough hand in her own hand. His hand felt so big around her small fingers, so strong.

Ron swallowed hard, looking at their intertwined fingers. He would never admit it, because he felt like she was still mourning the loss of Harry among so many things, but he had missed her touch terribly. He craved being near her. It brought a comfort to him that he could not fully explain.

"I mean, doesn't sound like they got Ginny or George yet..." Ron tried to joke a little to avoid crying.

"Or Bill or Fleur," Hermione added with her own tightlipped smile, though the tears in her eyes were apparent. The Weasley had always treated her like family and she knew, maybe in another life, a life where she and Ron had a future, she could have one day been her real family.

Ron nodded, squeezing her hand tightly. "See? There is always a bright side to it..."

"I'm sorry, Ron. It's my fault-" Hermione started trying to apologize for the millionth time that Ron was not with his family.

"Sorry for what, Hermione? If I had been with them I'd likely be captured now too," Ron cut her off quickly. He would not let her feel sorry, not for a minute, that he was with her. This was his choice and he would never change it.

Truthfully, since they had lost Harry, Hermione was the only thing that really mattered to him. In his mind, his family would survive without him and he wasn't wrong. They were all still alive. Harry, whether he had lived or not, Ron had already decided that if it had come down to it he would have saved Hermione anyway, so he could compartmentalize the loss of Harry. But Hermione, no he couldn't survive without Hermione. He needed her more than she may ever know.

Hermione sighed, knowing Ron's words had made it apparent he would not let her continue the conversation. Not once since they had escaped Hogwarts had Ron let her apologize for being the reason he left his family behind. She knew why he did it, and she knew if roles had been reversed she would have done the same. She never wanted to feel what it felt like when he walked out of the tent during the Horcrux hunt ever again. She knew, when he returned, no matter how upset she had been with him, she needed him by her side.

"Come here," Ron said, pulling her down into his cot and wrapping his arms around her so that her head lay on his broad chest. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to imagine for a moment that they were snug in his room at the Burrow rather than hiding in the tent.

Hermione allowed herself to relax into Ron as well. This was how they slept most nights, finding comfort in each other's arms. She knew, if this was all her life would ever consist of, at least she knew she was loved. Regardless of how PG their relationship was from a physical standpoint, she knew their feelings ran deep.

Ron gently kissed the top of Hermione's head after a long moment. He didn't want to think about his family, he only wanted to hold her. She was the only real thing there was anymore. Of course his thoughts drifted back to his family though. He missed them terribly, but he knew they understood why he couldn't come save them. His mother had seen it on his face at the castle, his siblings had teased him for years about it, and his father had always encouraged him to be truthful about his feelings - they all knew he loved Hermione; maybe before he knew, maybe before she knew. In fact, he didn't know if she even knew now. Surely, they had never spoken the words aloud.

Ron grew brave in the moment, knowing that he didn't want to spend another moment without Hermione knowing how he felt.

"Hermione..." Ron whispered her name, afraid she had fallen asleep.

"Yes?" Hermione responded, lifting her head so that she could see his face a little.

"I...I love you," Ron forced the words out quickly, afraid if he didn't say them he would talk himself out of it.

Hermione stared at him for a long moment, her eyes so intense only to be met with the same intensity from him. The corner of her mouth eventually perked up into a smile, granted a small almost sad smile, but a smile nonetheless.

Hermione could tell his words were coming from somewhere deep inside of him. They weren't fearful or desperate, they just seemed so true. She understood exactly how he felt.

"I love you too," She said softly.

Ron smiled back at her, his lips curling in almost a half dreamlike state.

Hermione nuzzled back against his chest and they lapsed back into silence for a long moment. The silence was only broken by the small lift of Ron's chest as he let out the slightly chuckle.

Hermione glanced up at him again, her brow furrowed. "What's funny?"

"I can just imagine Harry saying it took us long enough to say that to each other. Blimey, did he tease me about it when I mentioned that blue ball of light going through my chest. He knew how I felt about you," Ron said fondly.

Hermione smiled softly as she felt her eyes swell with tears at the fond mention of their now dead friend. It was just another trauma bond they could share. They both missed Harry terribly.

"I miss him," Ron spoke again.

"I know," Hermione nodded against his chest.

Another long pause sat between them before Ron spoke again.

"If only we had killed the snake," Ron spoke the words in almost a whisper, as if he were ashamed of them. In a way he was. He had failed at Harry's final request of them.

Hermione nodded again against his chest, afraid if she spoke her voice would betray her. She felt the tears threaten her eyes as she felt the same shame Ron did. They had failed Harry; they had failed everyone, and instead of fighting they had run. Harry would have never run.